Five Themes: Brentwood Academy vs. C.P.A.
Unbeaten sure. Unbeatable? Not so quick. Brentwood Academy (27-0) did not appear unstoppable early Thursday evening, though they did conquer the rival C.P.A. Lions, 78-59. Brentwood Academy moves comfortably on now, while C.P.A. did not overcame their injury loss (…
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Continue ReadingUnbeaten sure. Unbeatable? Not so quick. Brentwood Academy (27-0) did not appear unstoppable early Thursday evening, though they did conquer the rival C.P.A. Lions, 78-59.
Brentwood Academy moves comfortably on now, while C.P.A. did not overcame their injury loss ( Evan Shiflet Evan Shiflet 6'1" | SG C.P.A. | 2022 State TN ) or figure out their their defensive shortcomings.
The Lions peaked just before Christmas, narrowly losing to current #1 Beech in the Beech Christmas Tournament, 76-72, and then sputtered, blew out a metaphorical tire, and ultimately rode the rim down the rode in hopes of fixing the flat on the go. It did not work. They lost a dozen of their last 20 games. They meet
How did the still undefeated Eagles win the game? Here are five themes.
The Dykstra Foul Concern
Midway through the opening quarter Jake Dykstra Jake Dykstra 6'3" | SF C.P.A. | 2022 State TN picked up his second foul. He was forced to sit. One of the toughest things in sports, and life in general, is being unable to control your future. Dykstra was forced to watch.
In the third, Dykstra whacked down on Jayson Nixon Jayson Nixon 6'1" | PG Brentwood Academy | 2023 State TN ‘s left-handed fastbreak layup. Despite not making contact with Nixon at all, an accusatory whistle shriek filled the gymnasium. It was Jake’s third. Despite the call, C.P.A. Head Coach Kevin Maggard did not limit Dykstra’s in the second half, because the game was already nearing terminal velocity towards a BA win.
Cold Then Hot
Brentwood Academy was horrific shooting throughout the first six minutes. They missed every three-point attempt. They missed almost every free throw, specifically Jayson Nixon Jayson Nixon 6'1" | PG Brentwood Academy | 2023 State TN and Drey Moss Drey Moss 6'2" | SG Brentwood Academy | 2023 State TN clanked them.
The defensive pressure truly helped the team figure it out. Jayson Nixon Jayson Nixon 6'1" | PG Brentwood Academy | 2023 State TN , Tyler Tanner Tyler Tanner 6'1" | PG Brentwood Academy | 2024 State #133 Nation TN , D.J. Senter, and the veteran backcourt players executed a wonderful fullcourt press. C.P.A., lacking their two senior backbones Evan Shiflet Evan Shiflet 6'1" | SG C.P.A. | 2022 State TN and Dykstra, lacked the composure and passing crispness to get through the thicket.
The Low Down
D.J. Senter comfortably sauntered down the floor defensive rebound in hand and completed a relatively unimpeded layup at the rim. He was, as always, stout on defense.
Ryan Vollero Ryan Vollero 6'5" | SG Christ Presbyterian Academy | 2023 State TN and Kolby Wright are players with the unique ability dominate the game on the glass, as well as on the scoreboard. Unfortunately, for a low-scoring Lion program both Vollero and Wright scored sporadically Thursday evening. Like Dykstra, Vollero battled foul accumulation. He picked up his fourth late in the third quarter.
Kolby Wright scored 10 points in the first half, and he was wonderful creating his own shot, especially without Jake on the floor. The struggle came throughout the pivotal third quarter, wherein Kolby managed zero points. He scored a lovely and velvety soft floater a single minute into the fourth quarter. Kolby was not poor, but the team desperately needed a career performance from somebody and they did not quite get it.
Rebounding Failures
Brentwood Academy secured three straight offensive rebounds on a final first quarter possession. Somehow they never scored on the extended possession.
Freshman George McIntyre tracked down a three-point miss to finish an and-1 with agility. McIntyre’s mobility really impresses, especially at his wonderful basketball size. The visiting Lions did not care much for his effort and their failure to protect the defensive rebound opportunities really bit them in the behind.
Young Talent
At 51-43, C.P.A. had just chopped the game to a manageable score, and then McIntyre fluttered a gorgeous three-pointer through the cylinder. The Lions continued to claw but the game just never meaningfully tightened.
George McIntyre was amazing. The freshman danced around the floor with the smoothness of a ice dancer and the soft touch of a feather. He scored from virtually every point on the floor without taking a single bad shot.
Tyler Tanner Tyler Tanner 6'1" | PG Brentwood Academy | 2024 State #133 Nation TN acrobatic finish in the lane was at once magical and familiar. Tanner made similar horizontal reverse scoops previously this season. Beyond the elite quickness, Tanner again demonstrated guile and elite agility. His future will be enthralling. More importantly for the Eagles’ future continues tomorrow and deeper into the playoffs.